CLEARFIELD – A man accused of burglarizing a home and taking a gun waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday during centralized court.
Ryan Troy Price, 30, is incarcerated on $75,000 bail on two felony counts each of burglary and criminal trespass, felony theft by unlawful taking, felony possession of firearm prohibited and misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief and recklessly endangering another person in connection to his actions on Jan. 16 in Clearfield Borough.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, police were called to a Weaver Street residence to investigate a burglary. On the way, they were advised by dispatch that Price, who had allegedly broken in and stolen a pistol, had returned to the residence and was in possession of the firearm.
As the officer approached the scene, a man later identified as Price, came from the back corner of the residence carrying a milk jug and a back pack. He was ordered to the ground. He complied, was searched and taken into custody.
The victim told police that he and his wife were upstairs in their home when they heard their dogs barking. When he went downstairs, he noticed that the front panel of his door was broken out.
He then walked out the back door and found Price, whom he knew, in his garage. He was confronting Price about breaking into the house when he noticed that Price had a pistol in his hand. Price allegedly raised it up and waved it.
The victim grabbed hold of Price and this led to a scuffle, police said.
At one point, the pistol came out of the holster as a result of them fighting over it. Eventually the victim got the gun away from Price and told him he was calling the police.
The pistol was reportedly loaded but did not have a round in the chamber.
The victim’s wife said the gun was removed from the coffee table in the living room, but nothing else was disturbed.
Although Price had previously lived at this residence a long time ago, the victims said he had no right to be there.
Police were able to see the bottom panel of the door was broken in the home and the door frame in the garage showed signs of being forced open.
In his interview with officers, Price claimed the gun belonged to him, but the victim confirmed he was the registered owner of the weapon and not Price.